The National Association of Broadcasters has extended President and CEO Gordon Smith’s contract through March 31, 2023, NAB Joint Board Chair and Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley announced.
“Broadcasting plays an indispensable role in the world of communications, and I’m committed to an innovation agenda that allows local TV and radio to thrive on emerging media platforms,” said Smith, who also praised his coworks and broadcasters for their work.
Smith has been in the position since November 2009. Prior to that, he was two-term U.S. Senator from Oregon (1996-2008), during which time he served on the Senate Commerce Committee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Finance Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee. Smith credits his work on the Commerce Committee and as the chairman of a Senate High Tech Task Force as fostering his interest in new media and new technology issues.
Before serving in the U.S. Senate, Smith was elected to the Oregon State Senate and served as president of that body after three years.
He has also worked as an entrepreneur and attorney.
He has directed his family company, Weston, Ore.-based Smith Frozen Foods and is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles. He practiced law in New Mexico and Arizona. Then, after leaving the U.S. Senate in 2008, he joined the law firm of Covington & Burling LLP for 10 months.
